Working in this industry, you’ll be helping to make people feel good about themselves and improve their confidence.
Services could include hair cutting, colouring and styling. Manicures, pedicures, facials, skin treatments, tanning, make-up application, hair removal and non-medical hair restoration techniques. As well as other cosmetic and minor procedures.
What type of person would this job suit?
- You’ll need to be a people person, love talking – and more importantly, listening to them, with the aim of making them leave your business happy
- Have a passion for the hair and make-up industry, keep up with new trends and learn continuously new skills
- You’ll need to have a creative streak, and ability to communicate with clients, to help them decide what’ll suit them best
- Great customer service skills, including the ability to handle any complaints in a professional manner
- Be good at time keeping and multi-tasking, and able work efficiently within allocated appointment slots
- You’ll also need to be dexterous and possess the technical skills to use any necessary tools and equipment
Other industries where you could use your hair and beauty skills include:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Cosmetic and Retail
- Media and Advertising
- Wedding
- Cruise and Travel
Pathways
If you think you’ve got the necessary skills and the passion for a career in this industry, then there are lots of pathways to consider, and lots of opportunities for you to contemplate.
Lots of careers in this industry begin with VET qualifications and work experience, or apprenticeships and traineeships which combine both of those things. Once you are qualified you can continue to add to your skillset by undertaking further courses.
The Certificate III in Hairdressing at TAFE Queensland (or other RTO’s), is a good example of a course that on completion could qualify you to start working, in entry level, salon jobs – e.g. salon assistant.
Some people choose to study a related degree at University. You could also consider a diploma, or associate degree through a University, College or RTO. One of these options could qualify you to seek careers as instructors, salon managers, and business owners.
A Bachelor of Health Science (Aesthetics) from Torrens Uni could qualify you to enter the field of aesthetics as a dermal professional straight away.
Levels
Barber / Hairdresser
Certificate II, III or IV
Or 3-4 year hairdressing apprenticeship
You’ll cut, colour, straighten, perm, treat, add extensions, and maintain your clients hair as well as any other request they might have such as blow drying and styling.
As a trainee or assistant, you’ll be working under the supervision of more qualified practitioners. But once you’re experienced you’ll be working independently.
As a first year apprentice you’ll be earning around $8 per hour, as a second year apprentice about $10 per hour, and as a third year apprentice you’ll earn around $14 per hour. On completing your Certificate III you’ll earn a minimum of $18 per hour.
The average wage for fully qualified and experienced hairdressers is $45,000 per year (without overtime), but this varies depending on your experience and where you work.
Jobs:
Barbers / Hairdresser – Surfers Paradise, QLD
Senior Hairdresser – Gold Coast, QLD
Hairdressing Apprenticeship – Sydney, NSW
Beauty Therapist
Certificate III or IV e.g. Beauty Services or Beauty Therapy
Or Apprenticeship
Beauty therapists provide non-medical face and body and relaxation treatments to help clients look and feel better. You’ll customise treatments to suit each client’s needs, and recommend products and after-care to enhance the effects of their treatments.
The average wage for qualified and experienced Beauty Therapists is listed as $49,000 per year.
Jobs:
Beauty Therapist – Melbourne, VIC
Spa Co-ordinator / Beauty Therapist – Adelaide, SA
Dermal Technician / Professional
Diploma
You’ll be qualified in a range of clinical techniques, you could be focusing on preventative skin health and anti-ageing dermal therapies.
Graduates of Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees will have the qualifications to work safely and ethically within the Dermal Aesthetics industry. Combining your qualifications with marketing or business modules could also allow you to work in management positions on completion.
At this level you could expect to earn an average of $70,000 per year.
Jobs:
Dermal Clinician / Skin and Laser Therapist – Melbourne, VIC
Dermal Specialist – Coolangatta, QLD
Salon Manager / Beauty Trainer – Blue Mountains, NSW
Growth in this industry is very strong and expected to remain so.
